Long-term compliance of laryngectomized patients with a specialized pulmonary rehabilitation device: Provox Stomafilter.
Previous studies have demonstrated the positive effect of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) on the respiratory system in patients after laryngectomy. However, patient compliance with these devices was reduced by device-related problems and troublesome combination with a voice prosthesis. Recently a more specialized device has become available. This is an HME combined with a valve for easy digital occlusion of the stoma (Provox Stomafilter; Hörby, Sweden). In the authors' initial study of this revised device, a clear improvement in short-term compliance was demonstrated. To investigate long-term compliance, 69 consecutive patients were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. The results show that all patients expressed their satisfaction with the valve used for digital occlusion of the stoma. Sixty-three percent of the patients reported that voicing was facilitated. Subjective intelligibility improved in 55% of the patients. Previous problems with other devices (e.g., plaster adherence, skin irritation, and handling) were clearly diminished, increasing the long-term compliance of the patients to 78%. This new HME can be considered as a beneficial pulmonary rehabilitation tool for laryngectomized patients.
Ackerstaff
A H
AH
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
Hilgers
F J
FJ
Balm
A J
AJ
Tan
I B
IB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D054047:Surgical Stomas; D013997:Time Factors